Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

With thanks to the Roman Catholic Church, many so called Christians ignorantly celebrate the Satanic festival of Halloween in the name of “just having fun” or doing it “for the kids”. Yet, a look at any encyclopedia will easily inform you that the history and practices of Halloween are steeped in ancient Druid and Celtic idolatry which was later “Christianized” by the Church of Rome:

Funk and Wagnalls Standard Reference Encyclopedia (1964) Volume 12:

“Halloween or All-Hallows Eve, name applied to the evening of October 31, preceding the Christian feast of Hallowmas, All-hallows, or All Saints’ Day. The observance connected with Halloween are believed to have originated among the ancient Druids (see Druidism), who believed that on that evening Saman, the lord of the dead, called forth hosts of evil spirits. The Druids customarily lit great fires on Halloween, apparently for the purpose of warding off these spirits. Among the ancient Celts (see Celtic Peoples and Languages), Halloween was the last evening of the year, and it was regarded as a propitious time for examining the portents of the future. The Celts also believed that the spirits of the dead revisited their earthly homes on that evening.

After their conquest of Britain the Romans added to the Halloween traditions features of the Roman festival held on November 1 in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruits of trees. The Celtic tradition of lighting fires on Halloween survived until modern times in Scotland and Wales, and in the concept of ghosts and witches still common to all Halloween observances. Traces of the Roman harvest festival survive in the custom, prevalent in both the United States and England, of playing games involving fruit, such as ducking for apples in a tub of water, and the decorative use of pumpkins which are hollowed out, carved to resemble grotesque faces, and illuminated by candles placed inside.”

Encyclopedia Britannica (1963) Volume 11:

“Halloween: “(All-Hallows even) is the evening of Oct. 31. In its strictly religious aspect, the occasion is known as the vigil of Hallowmas or All Saints’ day, Nov. 1, observed by the Roman Catholics and Anglican churches. Pope Gregory III (731-741) assigned this date for celebrating the feast when he consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s basilica to ALL SAINTS. Gregory IV, extended the feast to the entire church in 834. The vigil of All Saints, which constitutes Halloween in the church calendar, is as old as the feast. Students of folklore believe that the popular customs of Halloween exhibit traces of the Roman harvest festival of Pomona.”

Thus, if today’s celebration of Halloween derives from paganism, then Halloween is a pagan holiday. Therefore, any Christian that celebrates Halloween is indeed a PAGAN and NOT a Christian. One cannot do, honor, or celebrate what a Pagan does and call yourself Christian. This is why the apostle Paul warned,

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
King James Version (KJV)

“20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

When Paul said “the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils,” he was referring to the Europeans (see Genesis 10). This was not a derogatory statement, it was and is simply a fact. This is why Paul was sent to teach the Gentiles because Paul was an Israelite and they are the one’s that God chose to teach all nations how to serve God and get salvation. This is why Jesus said “Salvation is of the Jews”. So it should be no surprise that the European Druids, Celts, and Romas are responsible for Halloween. If one followed the Bible and or God’s people, then one would know that the doctrine of the Roman Catholic church is completely anti-Christ. For instance, God tells us not to contact the dead (Deuteronomy 18:11), and tells us that the dead knows nothing – Ecclesiastes 9:5-10 – therefore the dead cannot be contacted, prayed to, or haunt you. Yet, during the Roman Catholic festival of All Saints/Souls Day one is told to pray to and honor the dead, i.e. DEVIL WORSHIP! Thus, Paul was RIGHT!

There is a dividing line between worshippers of God and worshippers of Satan. In order to follow God, you must follow or obey His Word. In God’s Word, he has given us his laws, statutes, and commandments which show us what is and what is not acceptable to him when it comes to worship. Thus, a true servant of God or Christian will follow God’s laws. On the contrary, a Pagan or Non-Christian will reject them. This is why Paul also stated,

Romans 6:15-16
King James Version (KJV)

“15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

If you are a Christian, or want to follow Christ, you must understand that you cannot do whatever you please or whatever a man declares is right and think you are serving God. The only thing that determines whether you are following God is if you are obeying God. Oddly enough, mainstream Christianity teaches that the law is no more. But this is clearly contrary to the Bible because we just read above where Paul stated that we should not sin and sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). In other words, even though Jesus died for our past sins, thus taking away our ultimate punishment – eternal death, which makes us not under the penalty of the law, we still have to obey the laws he gave us for that is our righteousness. Yet so called Christians will tell those striving to obey God’s commandments that they are in a cult and have the nerve to turn around and celebrate Halloween. Ironic Much!?

Nevertheless, seeing how today is Halloween, it is time to preach the Word in Season and expose the workers of iniquity. In his book, The Pagan Origins of Christian Holidays, Elisha J. Israel dedicated a chapter to exposing the ancient pagan roots and customs of Halloween. Below is an excerpt from his book. After reading this history, you will have no excuse for not knowing or as Jesus said, there will be no cloak for your sins. So what exactly is Halloween?

Halloween is an annual holiday that is celebrated in many western countries on October 31. On this day children dress up in costumes and trick or treat from house to house, adults attend costume parties, make jack-o-lanterns, visit haunted houses, have seances, and tell scary stories. Many Christians ignore the obvious ungodly customs of Halloween. Halloween evolved from the Celtic New Year Samhain (pronounced Sow-en or Sow-in). The Celts lived approximately 2,000 years ago in what is now Great Britain, Ireland, and France (Gaul). To Celts, Samhain was the day the life of the sun ceased thus causing summer to end. 

It was also believed that during Samhain the veil between the physical and the spiritual world was the most thin, and that souls were released from the land of the dead. Druid priests set scared bonfires on hilltops and sacrificed plants, animals, and humans to the Gaelic deities. Celtic households relit their hearths from the flames of the bonfires. These fires were used to scare away any unwanted spirits. One popular belief was that the dead who had been offended by the living would return to destroy crops or bring about other misfortunes. During this day the Celts also wore customs and engaged in dances that were symbolic of the cycles of life and death. Many dressed in animals heads were adorned to hide from the trickery of feared deities. The priests also attempted to communicate with the dead, and prognosticated using the remains of sacrificed animals. 

By 43 A.D. the Romans conquered the Celts, and two autumn festivals of the Romans (Feralia and Pomona’s Day) were intermingled with the Celtic feasts. Farelia was observed on February 21. This day signified the end of Parentialia, a nine day feast for the dead. During the feast of Parentialia the Romans made offerings in honor of their decreased family members. At midnight on the Feralia the heads of each household would speak to the evil spirits and ancestors to ensure their return to the spirit world. If this was done on February 22 the Caristia (Cara Cognatio) feast was held. On this day families feasted together and offered food and incense in honor of Lares.

Also, on this day any family quarrels were forgotten. On November 1 the festival of the fertility goddess Pomona (Pomorum) was celebrated. Pomona was the goddess of fruit and trees and was often depicted with apples. This is probably how apples became associated with Halloween. Over time apples were used to divine concerning marriage. When the apple is cut in half, the seeds form a type of pentagram, a symbol that represented fertility to the Celts. Thus it is quite natural that the apple could be used in their divination. This is most likely where the custom of “bobbing” or ducking for apples derived. During this time young unmarried peopled would bob for apples. The first one to bite into an apple would be the first to marry. The divination of the time and fertility of Pomona were combined in the spirit of the Samhain festival. 

After the emergence of Christianity, Samhain was still observed. To supplant Samhain Pope Boniface IV designated May 13 as All Saint’s Day in honor of the dead saints. However, this was not sufficient to completely thwart the deeply entrenched Samhain festival. So in 835 Pope Gregory IV transferred All Saint’s Day to November 1. Samhain which was celebrated the night before eventually was called All Hallows Eve and later became Halloween. In 1000 A.D. the Catholic Church established November 2 (All Souls Day) to honor the dead who were not considered saints. On All Souls Day it was common for the poor to “go a-souling”. This consisted of going door to door and requesting simple pastries called soul cakes; in exchange the poor would pray for the souls of home dweller’s dead relatives that were in purgatory. Many believe that this is the origin of trick or treating.

Making jack-o’-lanterns originated from Irish folklore. One common myth was that there was a drunkard named “Stingy Jack”. Jack had an infamous reputation for his silver tongue and evil deeds. According to one version of the tale Jack was able to trick the Devil into climbing a tree. He then placed a cross on the tree which prevented the Devil from climbing down. Jack made a deal with the Devil that he would let him down if he would never take his soul.

The Devil agreed and Jack removed the cross. When Jack died he was prevented from entering heaven and was also barred from hell. Jack had no light to see his way. Mockingly, the Devil gave Jack an ember that had been lit with one of the everlasting flames of hell. Jack carved out the inside of a turnip and placed the ember inside of it. He was known as Jack of the Lantern or Jack-o’-lantern. When the Irish migrated to America they brought this custom of making jack-o’-lanterns with them. However, in America pumpkins were more availabe and replaced the turnip.

The customs that have been associated with Halloween such as witchcraft and sorcery demonstrate that this holiday is anti-thetical to the word of God. As a matter of fact, Halloween is considered a high day among those who follow the Wiccan religion. If this is the case how can Christians justify observing this festival? In Deuteronomy it is written:

Deuteronomy 18:9-13
King James Version (KJV)

9 When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.

Purchase Elisha J. Israel’s book, The Pagan Origins of Christian Holiday’s here.

Watch the following for more on Halloween:

Teacher: Brother Elisha J. Israel
Church: The Household of Faith

Joshua Lette

Lines & Precepts

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